Ceiling suspension apparatus



Feb. 6, 1968 M. E. HAERTEL ETAL 3,367,695

CEILING SUSPENSION APPARATUS s Sheets-Shet 1 life r'.

La/ A Filed Aug. 26, 1966 b 1963 M. E. HAERTEL ETAL 3,357,695

CEILING SUSPENSION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7 I, A V. V

I 11 f 14 39 1'3 3736 38 11 M Q 1 3 3 fnveniars zed Z'IJfizedeZ Feb. 6, 1968 M. E. HAERTEL ETAL 3,367,595

CEILING SUSPENSION APPARATUS Filed Aug. 26. 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 MMML z. gMTb Cjzfuugiia/ United States Patent T 3,367,695 CEILING SUSPENSION APPARATUS Mildred E. Haertel, Elmirurst, and John A. Cirnaglia, Gait Lawn, Ill., assignors to W. J. Haertel & Cm, Franklin Park, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Aug. 26, 1966, Ser. No. 575,291 9 Claims. (Cl. 287-18936) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLUSURE The present invention relates to a quickly attachable, detachable and re-usable grid type ceiling panel suspension system. A plurality of spaced, parallel T-beams is secured in one direction in a room at regular intervals in coplanar arrangement. A plurality of cross-Ts interconnects the T-beams at desired intervals. Each end of the cross-Ts has resilient, laterally-skewed locking ears which penetrate mating apertures at said desired intervals and lock each end of each cross-T to the T-bearns. The resilient ears of the cross-Ts may be readily deflected by a workman for undamaged withdrawal of the cross-Ts when required.

The present invention relates to a means for engaging the longitudinal Ts with the cross-Ts in a grid type ceiling suspension apparatus, and the following disclosure thereof is offered for public dissemination upon the grant of a patent therefor.

In a grid type ceiling suspension apparatus there are a plurality of longitudinal Ts running one direction in the room at spaced intervals and, interconnecting the longitudinal Ts at predetermined points, are a plurality of cross-Ts. Each of these Ts have lower flanges upon which ceiling units, e.g. tile, rest. Means are provided for engaging the cross-Ts and the longitudinal Ts so as to provide a comparatively rigid grid. It is this engaging means with which the present invention is concerned. The present invention provides an interengaging means which is sufficiently simple so that any laborer can readily assemble the grid system. This can be done quite simply and easily. At the same time the engaging means securely holds the end of the cross-Ts with the longitudinal T once the assembly is made. If for some reason, however, it is desired to disconnect the cross-T from a longitudinal T after the two have been engaged, this can be easily performed by the worker without damaging any of the structure.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a crossT embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational view of the cross-T of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view of the longitudinal T showing the openings at which the cross-T engages the longitudinal T;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view through a longitudinal T and showing in elevation two cross-Ts connected thereto;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the longitudinal and cross- Ts connected as in FIGURE 4;

3,367,695 Patented Feb. 6, 1968 FIGURE 6 is a cross section of a longitudinal T and showing a single cross-T connected therewith;

FIGURE 7 is a section as viewed at line 77 of FIG- URE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an end view of a cross-T;

FIGURE 9 is a View corresponding to FIGURE 6 but illustrating a modified embodiment;

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 but illustrating a portion of the modified embodiment; and

FIGURE 11 is a View corresponding to FIGURE 8 but illustrating the modified form.

Although the following disclosure offered for public dissemination is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter hoW others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose; as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts, improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

The ceiling grid structure of the type with which the present invention deals comprises a plurality of longitudinal Ts, generally 10. These longitudinal Ts are positioned parallel to each other at predetermined intervals in a room. They are suspended from overhead by means of wires or the like (not shown) which may be slipped through openings 12 to engage the longitudinal Ts. As in the prior art, cross-Ts 11 are connected to adjacent longitudinal Ts at spaced intervals there along so as to define the grid which supports the ceiling tile or the like. The longitudinal Ts have base flanges 13 while the cross-Ts have base flanges 14. It is on these base flanges that the ceiling tiles rest. The Ts are formed of metal, e.g. soft iron.

At the point at which the cross-Ts are to connect to the longitudinal Ts, the longitudinal Ts have a vertical opening in which intersects two angularly disposed openings 17. In the illustrated form these three openings have a Y shaped configuration. However, the two angularly disposed openings 17 could be positioned at some other angle, as for example, such as to form a T shaped opening. In the illustrated embodiment the angular positioning is such that the angle 13 is 45 degrees.

The cross-Ts 11 have noses generally 19 and 20 at opposite ends thereof. These two noses are identical except that one is a left and the other is a right. Nose 19 has a body 22 which is integral with the web 23 of cross-T 112., except that it is slightly offset from the plane of the web. Similarly, nose 2!) has an offset body 24. A stamped ridge 25 acts as a stiiiener to maintain the alignment of body 24 and web 23. Similarly there is a stamped ridge as extending from web 23 across part of body 24 of nose 2t Extending outwardly from body 22 is a vertical portion 28 on nose 19 and a vertical portion 29 on nose 20. On noses l9 and 2% respectively there are angul-arly disposed wing portions 30 and 31 which are connected to vertical portions 23 and 29 respectively. Referring particularly to FIGURE 8, the outer ends 32 of wing portions 30 and 31 are positioned at an angle 33 which corresponds to angle 18 (45 degrees in the illustrated embodiment).

3 However, the inner ends 34 are positioned at an angle 35 that is substantially different than angle 18. The body 22 forms an abutment 36 and the body 24 forms an abutment 37. Also the ends of flanges 14 form abutments 38 and 39.

In assembling the grid structure the usual procedure will be to support longitudinal Ts It from overhead in the usual manner, the successive lengths being spliced together by inserting tab ends 1% of extensions ltlb into slots 10c and bending them over tightly. Thereafter the worker takes one cross T Ill and positions it so that the outer end 32 is aligned with one of openings 17 when the vertical portion 28 (or 29) is aligned with the vertical opening 16. Since angle 33 equals angle 18 the nose can be readily started through the Y shaped opening. By exerting a little force the worker can insert the outer end of the nose through the opening in the longitudinal T. The wing portion 3t (or 31) will be cammed into alignment with opening 17 as the end of the nose progresses through the opening.

Immediately after the wing portion has passed beyond the opposite side of web 15 of the longitudinal T, the win-g portion will return to its original position (due to the resiliency of the metal) with the rear end 3 .1 of the wing portion being out of alignment with opening 17. Thus the rear end 34 abuts the opposite side of web 15 as best seen in FIGURE 7. Abutments 3'7 and 39 (or 38 as the case may be) bear against the near side of the longitudinal T to prevent the nose from going any farther through the web 15 of the longitudinal T. Thus the nose of the cross T is securely locked on the longitudinal T.

Commencing at the opposite side of the longitudinal T another cross-T can similarly be inserted through the remaining portion of vertical opening 16 and the other of the two angularly disposed openings 17. FIGURES 4 and show two cross-Ts locked through the Y shaped opening and the web of the longitudinal T.

Should it be desired to remove one of the cross-Ts this can be simply performed by using finger pressure to realign rear end 34 of the wing with the corresponding opening 17. When this realignment is achieved the nose of the cross-T may be withdrawn from the open in the web of the longitudinal T.

FIGURES 9-11 illustrate a form of transverse T which embodies certain improvements. In addition to the additional strength provided by using double thicknesses of metal, this embodiment of the invention includes means for preventing twisting of the longitudinal Ts which may otherwise occur under certain conditions and includes fire rating features. Parts corresponding to those of the structures of FIGURES 18. are denominated by the same numbers with a prime.

In addition to the stop 37 which cooperates with stop end 34' to lock the T in position by engagement of web 15 of the longitudinal T, a projection 45 is provided above the main body 29 of the nose 2t!" to serve as an additional stop. As is seen in FIGURES and 11, this projection is parallel to, but out of the plane of, web 23 of the transverse T. The purpose of projection 45 is to prevent twisting of longitudinal T It) (in counterclockwise direction as shown in FIGURE 9) as might otherwise occur when, for example, one flange of the T is used to support a lighting fixture and there is no transverse T at the particular location to loclc the longitudinal T against twisting.

Instead of a butt joint between the ends of the flanges of the transverse TS and the sides of the flanges of the longitudinal Ts, as in the case of the apparatus of FIGURES 1-8, a sliding rest is provided by offset end portions 49 of flanges 14' of the transverse Ts. Upper portion 47 overlaps and abuts the lower portion 48 of web 23' at a horizontal line of severance. The offset is such that when this end portion of the longitudinal T rests upon the flange 13 of the longitudinal T, as it will in the assembly, the bottom surfaces of the flanges are in the same horizontal plane. The close tolerances required for the butt joint of the apparatus of FIGURES l8 are not required.

In addition to the prevention of the twisting of the longitudinal T, as above explained, the structure of FIG- URES 9-11 more readily permit longitudinal movement of the transverse TS in the event of severe expansion caused by fire. A weakening opening 46 may be provided to promote the more ready collapse of projection 45, stop 37 will give under such severe forces and the flange of the transverse T can ride up on the flange of the longitudinal T. These features contribute to improved fire ratings.

We claim:

I. In a ceiling suspension apparatus of the type wherein a grid is formed by a plurality of longitudinal supports having a plurality of transverse supports therebetween at spaced intervals with the ends of the transverse supports engaging the vertical web of the longitudinal supports, the improvement comprising: said Web having a first and a second opening therethrough which openings intersect each other at a predetermined angle, said transverse support having a nose formed of a resilient material and projecting outwardly {from the end therefrom, said nose having a first portion forming an extension of the transverse support and aligned with said first opening, said nose having a second portion connected only to the first portion and angularly disposed with respect thereto, said second portion having a first end remote from the transverse support and a second end adjacent the transverse support, said two portions at said first end being positioned at approximately said predetermined angle with respect to each other, said two portions at said second end being positioned at an angle to each other which latter angle is substantially diiferent than said predetermined angle; whereby said nose will easily enter said opening as said grid is being assembled, as

said nose is pushed further into said opening said second portion is cammed into alignment with said opening, and after said second portion passes fully through said opening said second portion will automatically return to its initial position with said second end being hooked on the opposite side of the web from that one from which the entry into the opening was made.

2. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 1, in which said transverse support has a vertical Web; wherein said said nose is formed as an extension of said vertical web of the transverse support with said first portion being vertical and said first opening being vertical, and said transverse support has an abutment contacting said one side of the longitudinal support.

3. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said first opening has a width at least equal to twice the thickness of said one portion, said longitudinal web has a third opening intersecting said first opening and at an angle to the first and second openings, and said transverse support has noses on both ends thereof, which noses are formed as a left and a right.

4. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said noses are offset from the plane of the web of the transverse support, and including a stiffening ridges from said web to said noses.

5. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said abutment is at the bottom of said nose, said transverse web above said nose being spaced from the adjacent side of the longitudinal web, a projection extending from said transverse web toward said side of the longitudinal web, said projection being above the juncture of the transverse web and the nose.

6. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said projection is offset to one side of the plane of said transverse web.

7. in an apparatus as set forth in claim 6, wherein the supports have bottom flanges, said flanges at the end of the transverse support being offset upwardly from the 5 remainder of the flange with the offset resting on the flange of the longitudinal T.

8. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the noses are offset from the plane of the web of the transverse support, and wherein said web and nose of the transverse support has a horizontal line of severance above the flanges with the material above and below said severance overlapping and in juxtaposition.

9. In an apparatus as set forth in claim 8, including stiifening ridges from the web to the noses of the transverse supports.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Detrich 287-18936 Brown 287-18936 Chesser 287-18936 Weinar 52-484 X Jahn 52-484 X CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner; WAYNE L. SHEDD, Assistant Examiner. 

